Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, I was getting some advice from Minister Bowen about the direct question. It's a dreadful thing to actually want to advise the parliament, isn't it? It's such a dreadful thing! I know it seems like an odd thing, that you'd actually want to try and advise the parliament!

Senator Pocock, thank you for the question, and thank you for your interest in this issue. I know that there have been a number of public concerns raised about the probity and the veracity of the units. Can I advise, from Minister Bowen's office, that the Clean Energy Regulator has not raised any concerns. However, concerns have obviously been raised externally by others, including, I think, the senator and others who have been in the media. I'm advised that these are being dealt with by the Chubb review, which I'm happy to give further information on when I can find that piece of paper.

Minister Bowen has commissioned a review by Professor Chubb, who, as you would know, is the former Chief Scientist, along with an expert panel. This was promised before the election. Minister Bowen, in opposition, indicated that we would, if we won government, commission an independent review to ensure the integrity of carbon credits and their consistency with our agricultural, biodiversity and other goals. Professor Ian Chubb has been appointed and is supported by three other experts in the fields of governance, science and carbon markets. The review will examine scheme governance and the integrity of key carbon crediting methods, including whether transparency could be improved.